Hydrocolloid Formulations Engineered for Properties in the GI Tract

This chapter highlights that hydrocolloids and/or hydrocolloid-based formulations have a significant role to play in the design of functional foods that are “engineered” to convey properties in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract mainly relating to the promotion of good health. It focuses on hydrocolloid-based delivery systems for the encapsulation and targeted delivery of nutrients (e.g. vitamins), microbial supplements (biopolymers as prebiotic material), dietary fibre (prebiotics), lipids or therapeutic species (e.g. drugs). The chapter discusses the effects on gastrointestinal transit time, as a result of increased viscosity or gel formation, and absorption rates (as a result of enzymatic activity). It describes appetite control and satiety. The chapter examines hydrocolloids' additional benefits, such as the ability to aid in mucosa healing, reduce post-prandial blood glucose levels, reduce cholesterol absorption and the ability to bind mutagens and heavy metals present within the intestinal lumen, thus reducing carcinogenic effects.